Mahalo to our Sponsors and Backers for Their SupportOf The 39th Annual Prince Lot Hula FestivalHeld Saturday, July 16 and Sunday, July 17, 2016 at Moanalua Gardens

Moanalua Gardens Foundation (MGF) thanks all of our sponsors, donors, and benefactors for their support of “Mo`olelo o Moanalua…Stories of Moanalua,” the 39th Annual Prince Lot Hula Festival, held on Saturday, July 16 from 9 am to 4 pm and Sunday, July 17 from 10 am to 3 pm.

The largest non-competitive hula event in Hawai‘i, the festival honors Prince Lot Kapuāiwa who helped to revive the hula by staging pā`ina (parties) at his summer home in Moanalua, now located at the gardens.

“The festival would not have been possible without assistance from the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Mayor’s Office of Culture and the Arts, State Foundation on Culture and the Arts, and our many sponsors and donors” said Alika Jamile, Executive Director and President of MGF, presenter of the festival.

“Thanks to their loyal backing, the festival continues to surpass our expectations and each year increases in both popularity and prominence as our residents and visitors discover the beauty of hula performed in spectacular Moanalua Gardens,” stated Jamile. “It was especially heartwarming to see so many people turn out as we honored two respected kumu hula with our prestigious Malia Kau,” he continued.

A 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, MGF relies on grants and donations to produce the festival which is free and open to the public. Other major festival sponsors and

Other festival highlights included poi pounding workshops, cultural demonstrations by noted practitioners, handcrafters fair, a morning concert by the Kamehameha Alumni Glee Club, noon concerts by the Royal Hawaiian Band and more.

Founded in 1978, the Prince Lot Hula Festival has been designated a signature cultural event by the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority (HTA). The festival’s goal is to preserve and

perpetuate the culture, language and hula traditions of Hawai‘i.

Established in 1970, Moanalua Gardens Foundation (MGF) is committed to preserving and perpetuating the precious cultural and natural resources of our islands through education and stewardship of Kamananui (Moanalua) Valley and celebration of the Prince Lot Hula Festival at Moanalua Gardens.

For more information about MGF, please 808.839.5334. To become of member of Moanalua Gardens Foundation, please click here.

Join us for the 2017 festival on Saturday, July 15 and Sunday, July 16, 2017.

Mo`olelo O Moanalua…Stories of Moanalua, the 39th Annual Prince Lot Hula Festival taking place on Saturday, July 16, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday, July 17 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. will showcase twenty of Hawai`i’s finest hālau hula (hula groups) over the festival weekend. A performance line-up is attached.

The largest non-competitive hula exhibition in Hawai‘i, the festival is held at spectacular Moanalua Gardens each year to honor Prince Lot Kapuāiwa who reprised the once forbidden hula in the district of Moanalua. It is presented by Moanalua Gardens Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving and perpetuating Hawaii’s native culture and natural resources.

Also, Nā Hōkū Hanohano award-winning vocalists Kuana Torres Kahele and Raiatea Helm will be participating as special guests. Kuana will be signing CDs and his Make Lei DVDs, and will preview his Kuana elegant culture line of Ni`ihau shells and 14k gold jewelry. He will be at The Mountain Apple Company booth beginning at 10 am on both Saturday and Sunday.

Raiatea will headline the Opening Ceremony on Sunday, July 17 at 10 am and will sign her CDs, including her newest release He Leo Huali, at the booth following her concert.

Other highlights include noon concerts by the Royal Hawaiian Band on both Saturday and Sunday, a Hawaiian-themed craft fair featuring over 35 local crafters, demonstrations of traditional Hawaiian arts by noted cultural practitioners, including lauhala weaving, kapa making, ipu making, feather lei making, ukulele making and more.

The Office of Hawaiian Affairs is sponsoring poi pounding demonstrations with sampling from 10 am to 2 pm on Saturday and Sunday and Ulu Maika, a rock rolling sport similar to lawn bowling, on

“We are very pleased to see how much the festival is enjoyed by both kama`āina and malihini,” said Alika Jamile, MGF Executive Director and President.

“This year’s celebration promises to be one of our best ever and we invite the entire community and our visitors to join us for this free uniquely Hawaiian event,” he stated.

There is no charge to attend the festival, however, a button donation to MGF is requested to raise funds to support the event.

Limited edition tee shirts and a souvenir poster will be on sale. Proceeds from these merchandise sales will help cover the costs of the festival.

The public, and visitors, are welcome to bring their low beach chairs and mats and enjoy the fun, food and festivities under the shady monkeypod trees of Moanalua Gardens. No commercial photography is allowed.

An historic and cultural treasure, Moanalua Gardens is one of the most beautiful places in Honolulu on the island of O`ahu. Once a botanical garden, it is home to legendary structures and rare trees, including the famous “Hitachi” tree.

Festival sponsors and supporters include the Hawaii Tourism Authority, State Foundation on Culture and the Arts, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, the Mayor’s Office of Culture and the Arts, Hawaiian Airlines, The Queen’s Medical Center, Matson Navigation, Royal Hawaiian Center, Hawai‘i Visitors and Convention Bureau, O‘ahu Visitors Bureau, the Honolulu Star Advertiser, MidWeek, ‘Ōlelo Community Media, Pasha Hawaii, Solar City and others.

Named in memory of Prince Lot, who later reigned as King Kamehameha V, the festival was founded in 1977 by MGF and now attracts up to 15,000 residents and visitors each year. Moanalua was a favorite recreation spot for Prince Lot, who helped revive the hula at his gatherings in the district of Moanalua. His summer cottage can be found on the gardens’ grounds.

To view participating hālau and a festival performance schedule, Click Here or call 808.839.5334 for more information.

A non-profit organization founded in 1970, Moanalua Gardens Foundation (MGF) is committed to preserving and perpetuating the native culture and environment of Hawai’i through education, celebration and stewardship of Kamananui Valley and Moanalua Gardens. MGF depends upon grants and donations to cover festival costs. To make a donation or become a member please visit http://www.moanaluagardensfoundation.org.

Go to our FaceBook Page.

2016 Prince Lot Hula Festival

Mo`olelo O Moanalua…the stories of Moanalua

Moanalua Gardens Foundation (MGF) is pleased to announce that Mo`olelo O Moanalua…the stories of Moanalua will be the theme for this year’s 39th Annual Prince Lot Hula Festival. In ancient times, a center of hula and chanting, Kamananui (Moanalua) Valley was a revered place for Hawaiians. Many mele (songs) and oli (chants) originated in the valley.

Join us as we share some of these special stories with you on Saturday, July 16 and Sunday, July 17 at spectacular Moanalua Gardens in Honolulu.

MOANALUA CURRICULUM WORKSHOPS! The Aloha ʻĀina Moanalua curriculum is now available for schools wanting to explore the Moanalua ahupuaʻa. The grade 4 unit includes a Moanalua ahupuaʻa map, old photographs of the area, and lesson[...]